Byukusenge wins Western Circuit cycling race

Top five: 1. Patrick Byukusenge (Benediction) 2:04:472. Gasore Hategeka (Benediction) 2:07:333. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction) 2:07:364. Jeremie Karegeya (Cine Elmay) 2:07:425. Bonaventure Uwizeyimana (Benediction) 2:07:56 Benediction Club’s Patrick Byukusenge clocked 2:04:47 to comfortably win the Western Circuit from Muhanga to Karongi yesterday, a total distance of 80km—race was the sixth event of the Rwanda Cycling Cup 2015. Benedictions Patrick Byukusenge (center) celebrates winning his first event in his cycling career. (Courtesy) The 24-year old replaced Bonaventure Uwizeyimana in a two-man breakaway that also had Jeremie Karegeya at Nyange in the Karongi hills. Byukusenge then broke away in commanding fashion and benefitted from a descend that saw him increase his 40 second lead to a two-minute advantage over the peloton as they approached Karongi town. “I am very happy that I won today because it is the first time that I have won a race in my cycling career. I broke away from the peloton and decided to keep going, and I was like…if they catch up with me well and good, if they don’t, I will go on and win it and luckily that is what happened,” explained Byukusenge. Gasore Hategeka (Benediction) came in 2:46 minutes later to finish second but he had to beat teammate Jean Bosco Nsengimana to the finish line in a sprint finish that saw Karegeya settle for fourth—Nsengimana was the best rider in the U-23 category. Still gaining his top form since returning from injury, Uwizeyimana (Benediction) came in fifth in another sprint finish that saw 19-year old Joseph Aleluya settle for sixth position despite falling off his bike in Nyange.

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Byukusenge wins Western Circuit cycling race